Scottish Executive

Alcohol Misuse

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that three-year funding arrangements are in place for local councils on alcohol in order that delivery of its Plan for Action on Alcohol Problems is secured.

Mrs Mary Mulligan: The Executive is already committed to providing a stable funding environment for the voluntary sector including three-year funding for our own direct support. The Executive's wider Strategic Funding Review will be looking closely at funding of the sector by all public bodies. The Executive recently issued an accountability framework to inform local Alcohol Action Teams (AATs) of what should be in their three-year plans. The framework generally requires security of three-year funding to be passed on to all voluntary sector agencies undertaking work in the AAT area.

Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 have been processed through the courts in each of the last five years.

Mr Jim Wallace: The information requested cannot be separately identified from prosecutions for other offences involving animals in the data held centrally.

Boundaries

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what involvement it has in appointments to the Boundary Commission for Scotland.

Peter Peacock: Scottish ministers are responsible for appointing members of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland. These appointments are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Standards under procedures set down in the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies .

  Appointments to the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Scotland are the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Scotland and Scottish ministers have no involvement in such matters.

Children's Panels

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what directions or guidance is given to Children’s Panels on the information panels may forward to the Youth Crime Diversion Programme when making a referral to the programme.

Cathy Jamieson: Rule 21 of the Children's Hearings (Scotland) Rules 1996 sets out what information, and to whom, the Reporter should communicate following the decision of a Children's Hearing.

  However, that is only one aspect of the network of communication involved in these situations. Where a child is referred to a diversionary project, the project itself will usually have clear expectations, agreed with referring agencies, about what information it should receive.

Children's Panels

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive who is responsible for issuing guidance to Children's Panels.

Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive Education Department is responsible for issuing guidance to members of Children’s Panels. The intention of such guidance is to provide members with generic advice which will assist them in reaching decisions at Children’s Hearings.

Crime

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the European Union framework decision on the confiscation of crime-related proceeds, instrumentalities and property will have on Scots law.

Mr Jim Wallace: The draft framework decision on the confiscation of crime-related proceeds, instrumentalities and property seeks to ensure approximation of confiscation provisions across member states. It is based on the premise that, in order to combat effectively cross-border organised crime, effective measures must be in place to trace, freeze, seize and confiscate the proceeds of crime. The Scottish Executive is studying the draft framework decision to determine what the implications might be for Scotland.

Crime

Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set for reductions in the levels of violent crime.

Mr Jim Wallace: Scottish police forces were set a jointly agreed national target in March 2002 to reduce by 2003-04 the number of recorded incidents of violent crime by five per cent. A related target of an increase of 4.1 percentage points in the detection rate for serious violent crime was also agreed and announced at the same time.

Crime

Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set for reductions in the levels of street crime.

Mr Jim Wallace: The high-level national targets we have set for the Scottish Police Service, although not identifying street crime directly, will impact on the incidence of street crime and help generally to improve the lives of those who live in our communities. The targets include reductions in serious violent crime and vehicle crime as well as increases in drugs seizures. Reductions in street crimes are also intended from a whole range of other policies we are developing or have put in place, such as the Action Plan on Youth Crime we announced in July, as well from the on-going action programmes supported by the Executive under the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland-led "Safer Scotland" campaign.

Data Protection Act 1998

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many offences under the Data Protection Act 1998 have been processed through the courts in each year since the act came into force.

Mr Jim Wallace: No proceedings under the Data Protection Act 1998 were recorded for the year 2000. Data for the year 2001 are expected to be available in November 2002.

Drug Misuse

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what changes in drug treatment policy it plans in the light of the reclassification of cannabis.

Mrs Mary Mulligan: The Executive monitors drug use patterns and trends as part of its information strategy. A range of approaches to treatment is available and is kept constantly under review in the light of any new and relevant information. The Executive's recently-published Cannabis: Know the Score Guide, which can be accessed at www.knowthescore.info , emphasises that the drug can affect mental, as well as physical health and that people should be aware of the dangers, particularly anyone who has a mental illness.

Firearms

Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the regulation of air weapons.

Mr Jim Wallace: Firearms legislation including the regulation of air weapons is a reserved matter.

  The Scottish Executive is, however, represented on the Firearms Consultative Committee, the independent statutory body established to keep under review the provisions of the Firearms Acts and to make recommendations to the Home Secretary for improving their working.

Gaelic

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the membership, powers, budget and remit are of the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee and what input to the work of the committee (a) Her Majesty’s Government and (b) agencies and corporations for which the Scottish Executive has responsibility have.

Mike Watson: The members of Comataidh Craolaidh Gaidhlig, the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee, are:

  Iain MacAskill, Chairman

  Rosemary Ward

  Duncan Ferguson

  Donald Martin

  Mairi MacInnes

  Mairi Morley

  Donald MacKillop

  Catriona Campbell

  The 1990 Broadcasting Act established the Gaelic Television (now Broadcasting) Committee (CCG), which is appointed by the Independent Television Commission (ITC), to administer the Gaelic Television (now Broadcasting) Fund. The budget is £8.5 million. The CCG's remit is to finance the production of television and radio programmes in Gaelic; the training of people in making Gaelic programmes; audience research, and other activities related to the making of such programmes, but not to commission programmes.

  Broadcasting is a reserved matter, and it would be for the UK Government to recommend to the Westminster Parliament any changes in the legislation governing Gaelic broadcasting. By convention the Government does not intervene in the administration of broadcasting.

  The annual grant is paid to the CCG by the Scottish Executive via the Independent Television Commission. There is no particular role for any agency or public body for which the Scottish Executive is responsible.

Health

Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Health and Community Care has the ultimate decision over the location of acute hospital services in the Forth Valley NHS Board area.

Malcolm Chisholm: Yes. However, only after careful consideration and close scrutiny of all the information at my disposal will I take a decision on the proposals flowing from NHS Forth Valley’s Acute and Related Services Strategy.

  Before taking that decision, NHS Forth Valley will have to demonstrate that it has carried out a full, robust and transparent consultation process involving all stakeholders, and that its plans provide the best possible outcome for patients and frontline staff throughout.

Health

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the discussion paper on the future role of local health councils will be published.

Malcolm Chisholm: We plan to publish the paper during October. Patient Focus and Public Involvement - published in December last year - indicated that we would consult on a proposal to establish a Scottish Health Council as a national body with a local presence to replace local health councils. Our paper will draw on pre-consultation work being carried out by the Scottish Consumer Council and Scottish Health Feedback which will be completed in September.

Health

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on patients in the Scottish Borders who require dialysis treatment being unable to receive such treatment in their local area.

Malcolm Chisholm: I am aware that there is a need for increased dialysis clinics, and provision of increased support services in the Borders.

  I am pleased to learn that the capacity to treat such patients in the Borders will increase from early October, and that a full Review of Renal Service in the Borders is about to take place. The review will report to Borders NHS Board in time to feed into the 2004-05 financial plan. An initial meeting is to take place in early October.

Justice

Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to empower neighbourhood wardens to detain and demand names and addresses from suspects.

Mr Jim Wallace: The principal function of neighbourhood wardens is to observe and report incidents to local authority colleagues or the police, as appropriate, with the aim of reducing vandalism and anti-social behaviour. There are no plans for them to be given powers to detain suspects or to demand any personal details.

Justice

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive who decides the remuneration levels for all staff at the Scottish Land Court, other than the Chairman.

Mr Jim Wallace: The administrative staff at the Scottish Land Court are employees of the Scottish Executive. They are subject to Scottish Executive terms and conditions and their pay is determined under the Scottish Executive main pay arrangements.

  The salaries of members of the Scottish Land Court are based on Senior Civil Service scales. Salary increases are determined in line with the recommendations made by the Senior Salaries Review Body for the UK Judiciary.

Justice

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive who decides the remuneration level for all staff at the sheriff courts, other than the sheriffs.

Mr Jim Wallace: Administration staff of the sheriff courts are civil servants employed by the Scottish Court Service. Under the authority delegated to him by Scottish ministers, the Chief Executive of the Scottish Court Service has responsibility for deciding the remuneration level, and other terms and conditions of employment, of all Scottish Court Service staff. The pay system and general pay levels used by the Court Service are determined following negotiation with the relevant trade union.

Justice

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive who decides the remuneration levels for all staff at the Court of Session, other than the judges.

Mr Jim Wallace: Administration staff of the Court of Session are civil servants employed by the Scottish Court Service. Under the authority delegated to him by Scottish ministers, the Chief Executive of the Scottish Court Service has responsibility for deciding the remuneration level, and other terms and conditions of employment, of all Scottish Court Service staff. The pay system and general pay levels used by the Court Service are determined following negotiation with the relevant trade union.

Justice

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when guidelines on the setting of bail conditions were last issued.

Mr Jim Wallace: In granting bail, the courts are required by law to impose on the accused a set of standard conditions. They may also impose any such further conditions as they consider necessary to secure that the standard conditions are observed and that the accused makes himself available for attending an identification parade or for any print, impression or sample to be taken.

  The nature of the further conditions which may be imposed is a matter for the discretion of the courts.

  By law the prosecutor has a right to be heard when the courts are considering the question of bail. The Lord Advocate has in the past issued guidance to procurators fiscal as to the attitude they should adopt to bail conditions which the courts may be considering imposing. That guidance was reviewed at the time the Bail, Judicial Appointments etc (Scotland) Act 2000 was enacted. It was found to be appropriate and no further guidance has since been issued.

Justice

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been provided for bail schemes in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02.

Mr Jim Wallace: Funding to local authorities for bail information and supervision schemes in the years 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-02 amounted to £313,322; £426,553, and £945,536 respectively.

Justice

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how the estimated £2 million cost for a new-build courthouse at Peebles was calculated and whether the estimate includes the cost of any land purchase.

Mr Jim Wallace: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Court Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  I have been asked by the minister to respond. The estimated new build cost of £2 million is based on current construction industry yardstick costs and on actual building costs obtained from recent Scottish Court Service projects, some of which have included the provision of new courtroom accommodation as part of the refurbishment programme. The estimate does not include the cost of land purchase.

Justice

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty’s Government on the membership and remit of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council since May 1999.

Mr Jim Wallace: In 1999 there was agreement amongst the relevant ministers that all members of the Inner House of the Court of Session should be made members of the Privy Council. The purpose of this recommendation was to address the prevailing shortage of Scottish judges on the Privy Council and to provide more Scottish judges to assist in dealing with any devolution issues which might be referred to the Privy Council under the provisions of the Scotland Act 1998.

  The first new appointments of Inner House Judges to the Privy Council were agreed by Her Majesty in March 2000 and the names were announced in a press notice issued by the Office of the Prime Minister. Subsequent appointments have been made as and when new Inner House Judges have been appointed.

Lands Tribunal for Scotland

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive who decides the remuneration levels for all staff at the Lands Tribunal for Scotland, other than the members.

Mr Jim Wallace: The administrative staff at the Lands Tribunal for Scotland are employees of the Scottish Executive. They are subject to Scottish Executive terms and conditions and their pay is determined under the Scottish Executive main pay arrangements.

Local Government Elections

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive from what budget the costs for Scottish Parliament and local government elections are met.

Peter Peacock: Scottish parliamentary elections are reserved. The cost of administering local government elections is met from local authorities’ own budgets. The Scottish Executive is meeting the costs associated with the local government element of training for elections staff and publicity and voter awareness campaigns in the run up to the elections in May 2003.

Local Government Finance

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost to it has been of monitoring private finance initiative contracts in each of the last five years.

Mr Andy Kerr: The information requested is contained in the following table for the three Scottish Executive private finance initiative contracts. It is the responsibility of other public authorities to monitor their own private finance initiative contracts.

  The figures include the costs of technical and professional supervision and non-technical monitoring of contractual performance and penalty clauses. They include an estimate of staff time involved. Payments cover the monitoring of construction of new works as well as operation and maintenance.

  The cost of monitoring contracts during construction would occur whether the contract was under conventional procurement or the private finance initiative. These respective costs are evaluated before the PPP commences and the PPP has to demonstrate better value for money.

  Broadly equivalent costs are incurred in relation to professional fees for the preparation, construction and operation of conventionally-funded projects.

  


 


Skye Bridge 
  

M6 DBFO 
  

Kilmarnock Prison 
  



1997-98 
  

74,359 
  

1,219,547 
  

Nil 
  



1998-99 
  

45,403 
  

1,108,260 
  

Nil 
  



1999-2000 
  

32,156 
  

1,073,500 
  

240,000 
  



2000-01 
  

39,357 
  

341,472 
  

230,000 
  



2001-02 
  

11,019 
  

200,000 
  

240,000 
  



  Note:

  1. The figures for 2001-02 for the Skye Bridge and M6 DBFO are lower than the previous four years because the previous four years include costs related to monitoring the construction phase.

Lord-Lieutenants

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what input it has in the appointment of Lord-Lieutenants.

Mr Jim Wallace: Her Majesty the Queen appoints Lords-Lieutenants in Scotland, as in England and Wales. When a Lord-Lieutenant retires, the Prime Minister consults the First Minister before giving advice to Her Majesty on the appointment of a replacement.

Ministerial Visits

Janis Hughes (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all the overseas engagements carried out by its ministers and their costs in each financial year since 1999-2000.

Mr Andy Kerr: The information requested is set out in the following table.

  Before any overseas engagement is approved, it must represent good value for the Executive and the taxpayer.

  Overseas Engagements Carried Out by Scottish Ministers Since 1999

  


Date of Visit 
  

End Date (if Different) 
  

Minister 
  

Country 
  

Purpose of Visit 
  

Cost of Minister’s Travel and Subsistence
(£) 
  



Financial Year 2001-02 
  



20 Mar. 02 
  

21 Mar. 02 
  

Allan Wilson 
  

Norway 
  

Attended the 5th North Sea conference 
  

493.00 
  



18 Mar. 02 
  

19 Mar. 02 
  

Nicol Stephen 
  

Norway 
  

Fact-finding visit regarding Education for Work and Enterprise 
  Review Group 
  

442.00 
  



13 Mar. 02 
  
 

Nicol Stephen 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Plenary of the Committee of the Regions 
  

0.00* 
  



05 Mar. 02 
  
 

Nicol Stephen 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended meeting of the Territorial Cohesion Commission 
  of the Committee of the Regions 
  

0.00* 
  



22 Feb. 02 
  

23 Feb. 02 
  

Mike Watson 
  

Belgium 
  

Held a series of meetings regarding Euro 2008 Championship 
  bid and attended a cultural event 
  

370.00 
  



05 Feb. 02 
  
 

Mike Watson 
  

Ireland 
  

Meeting with Irish Minister of Sport to discuss Euro 2008 
  Championship bid 
  

99.00 
  



05 Feb. 02 
  

07 Feb. 02 
  

Nicol Stephen 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Committee of the Regions Plenary and first meeting 
  of the Territorial Cohesion Commission of the Committee 
  of the Regions 
  

0.00* 
  



03 Feb. 02 
  

10 Feb. 02 
  

Elish Angiolini 
  

France 
  

Had a series of meetings and visits regarding the French 
  legal system 
  

275.16 
  



17 Dec. 01 
  

18 Dec. 01 
  

Ross Finnie 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Fisheries Council 
  

679.00 
  



30 Nov. 01 
  
 

Jack McConnell 
  

Ireland 
  

Attended British-Irish Council 
  

149.00 
  



30 Nov. 01 
  
 

Jim Wallace 
  

Ireland 
  

Attended British-Irish Council 
  

148.00 
  



30 Nov. 01 
  
 

Dr Richard Simpson 
  

Ireland 
  

Attended British-Irish Council 
  

269.00 
  



30 Nov. 01 
  

01 Dec. 01 
  

Colin Boyd 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Eurojust conference 
  

898.88 
  



20 Nov. 01 
  
 

Ross Finnie 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Agriculture Council 
  

467.00 
  



15 Nov. 01 
  

16 Nov. 01 
  

Jim Wallace 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Justice and Home Affairs Council 
  

554.00 
  



12 Nov. 01 
  

13 Nov. 01 
  

Lewis Macdonald 
  

Ireland 
  

Met with Ministerial equivalent and visited Dublin Docklands 
  

326.00 
  



12 Nov. 01 
  

13 Nov. 01 
  

Colin Boyd 
  

Luxembourg 
  

Visit to the European Court 
  

635.51 
  



12 Nov. 01 
  

13 Nov. 01 
  

Neil Davidson 
  

Luxembourg 
  

Visit to the European Court 
  

709.94 
  



16 Oct. 01 
  

17 Oct. 01 
  

Peter Peacock 
  

Belgium 
  

Scotland Week – spoke at "Inspiration from diversity 
  – development opportunities for remote regions" seminar 
  

99.00 
  



16 Oct. 01 
  
 

Angus MacKay 
  

Belgium 
  

Scotland Week – spoke at "Global economy – Scotland’s 
  Corporate Vision" seminar 
  

370.00 
  



15 Oct. 01 
  

19 Oct. 01 
  

Henry McLeish 
  

Taiwan and Japan 
  

Held a series of meetings and visits on trade and inward 
  investment 
  

2,026.59 
  



14 Oct. 01 
  

15 Oct. 01 
  

Neil Davidson 
  

Belgium 
  

Scotland Week – Spoke at Biotechnology Seminar 
  

125.70 
  



11 Oct. 01 
  

12 Oct. 01 
  

Ross Finnie 
  

Belgium 
  

Scotland Week – Spoke at Environment seminar 
  

565.00 
  



10 Oct. 01 
  

12 Oct. 01 
  

Rhona Brankin 
  

Belgium 
  

Scotland Week – spoke at "Tourism and the Natural 
  Environment" seminar and Fisheries seminar. 
  

629.32 
  



10 Oct. 01 
  

13 Oct. 01 
  

Wendy Alexander 
  

USA 
  

Had a series of visits and meetings regarding government 
  economic development 
  

3,395.58 
  



09 Oct. 01 
  

10 Oct. 01 
  

Alasdair Morrison 
  

Belgium 
  

Scotland Week – attended Harris Tweed exhibition and "Future 
  of Europe" seminar 
  

384.34 
  



08 Oct. 01 
  

09 Oct. 01 
  

Henry McLeish 
  

Belgium 
  

Scotland Week – Opened Scotland Week 
  

506.59 
  



04 Oct. 01 
  

10 Oct. 01 
  

Jack McConnell 
  

Germany and Belgium 
  

Visited the Administrations in Dusseldorf and Munich and 
  met with ministerial equivalents and met with Scottish interests. 
  Spoke at "Future of Europe" seminar during Scotland 
  week 
  

1,491.03 
  



26 Sep. 01 
  

28 Sep. 01 
  

Ross Finnie 
  

Austria 
  

Attended 5th Environment conference of the Regions of Europe 
  (ENCORE) 
  

1,248.00 
  



25 Sep. 01 
  

27 Sep. 01 
  

Henry McLeish 
  

Finland 
  

Series of visits and meetings regarding digital inclusion, 
  broadband and electronics 
  

716.00 
  



25 Sep. 01 
  

27 Sep. 01 
  

Wendy Alexander 
  

Finland 
  

Series of visits and meetings regarding digital inclusion, 
  broadband and electronics 
  

716.00 
  



19 Sep. 01 
  

20 Sep. 01 
  

Angus MacKay 
  

Belgium 
  

Meeting with Scottish MEP’s and Commissioner Barnier 
  

861.44 
  



08 Sep 01 
  

09 Sep. 01 
  

Ross Finnie 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Belgian Pipe Band Championships 
  

602.60 
  



04 Sep. 01 
  
 

Jack McConnell 
  

France 
  

Attended CLARE Working group 
  

749.10 
  



02 Sep. 01 
  

04 Sep. 01 
  

Angus MacKay 
  

Czech Republic 
  

Attended signing of new Twinning Covenant with Ministry 
  of Finance and met with a number of Czech ministers 
  

611.09 
  



29 Aug. 01 
  

30 Aug. 01 
  

Tom McCabe 
  

Germany 
  

Fact-finding visit to look at how coalition governments 
  operate. 
  

690.00 
  



29 Aug. 01 
  

30 Aug. 01 
  

Euan Robson 
  

Germany 
  

Fact-finding visit to look at how coalition governments 
  operate 
  

690.00 
  



23 Aug. 01 
  

08 Sep. 01 
  

Colin Boyd 
  

Australia 
  

Attended two conferences – International Association of 
  Prosecutors and International Society for Reform of Criminal 
  Law 
  

1,105.44 
  



30 Jul. 01 
  

03 Aug. 01 
  

Margaret Curran 
  

Canada 
  

Meeting with Canadian ministers and officials regarding 
  the voluntary sector and equality issues. 
  

1,693.00 
  



23 Jul. 01 
  

29 Jul. 01 
  

Ross Finnie 
  

Canada 
  

Discussions on the Canadian approach to service delivery 
  in remote and rural communities. 
  

3,322.92 
  



20 Jul. 01 
  

22 Jul. 01 
  

Allan Wilson 
  

USA 
  

Attended Robert Burns Federation Annual conference 
  

1,405.05 
  



17 Jul. 01 
  

19 Jul. 01 
  

Tom McCabe 
  

Ireland 
  

Fact-finding visit to look at parliamentary business. 
  

563.00 
  



13 Jul. 01 
  
 

Angus MacKay 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Informal Regional Policy Council 
  

452.00 
  



09 Jul. 01 
  

15 Jul. 01 
  

Jim Wallace 
  

China 
  

Undertook a series of mainly justice related meetings/visits. 
  

4,726.00 
  



09 Jul .01 
  

13 Jul. 01 
  

Wendy Alexander 
  

USA 
  

Visit focused on technology developments involving biotechnology 
  and ICT 
  

3,418.31 
  



04 Jul. 01 
  

06 Jul. 01 
  

Sarah Boyack 
  

Germany 
  

Attended British/German Environment Forum on transport 
  issues 
  

518.90 
  



28 Jun. 01 
  
 

Sarah Boyack 
  

Luxembourg 
  

Attended Transport Council 
  

702.00 
  



28 Jun. 01 
  

30 Jun. 01 
  

Nicol Stephen 
  

Latvia 
  

Attended conference of European Education Ministers 
  

833.00 
  



20 Jun. 01 
  

22 Jun. 01 
  

Rhona Brankin 
  

Faroe Islands 
  

Attended Nordic conference on the Protection of the Sea 
  

627.90 
  



18 Jun. 01 
  
 

Rhona Brankin 
  

Luxembourg 
  

Attended Fisheries Council 
  

540.00 
  



09 Jun. 01 
  

11 Jun. 01 
  

Allan Wilson 
  

Portugal 
  

Supported Scottish Opera during their tour. Met with Portuguese 
  Minister of Sport 
  

616.00 
  



05 Jun. 01 
  
 

Wendy Alexander 
  

Ireland 
  

Met with Irish ministers and officials regarding social 
  partnerships 
  

326.00 
  



04 Jun. 01 
  

05 Jun. 01 
  

Susan Deacon 
  

Luxembourg 
  

Attended Health Council 
  

540.00 
  



29 May 01 
  

30 May 01 
  

Jack McConnell 
  

France 
  

Attended CLRAE Regional Chamber meeting 
  

658.00 
  



28 May 01 
  
 

Henry McLeish 
  

Belgium 
  

Signed Flanders Co-ordination Initiative 
  

659.00 
  



21 May 01 
  

22 May 01 
  

Peter Peacock 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended meeting of cohesion fund countries 
  

390.00 
  



17 May 01 
  
 

Allan Wilson 
  

Ireland 
  

Attended meeting of the Columba Initiative 
  

343.00 
  



13 May 01 
  

16 May 01 
  

Ross Finnie 
  

Sweden 
  

Visited a number of environment projects. Met with the 
  Swedish Environment Minister and the Swedish Environmental 
  Projection Agency 
  

867.42 
  



23 Apr. 01 
  

25 Apr. 01 
  

Ross Finnie 
  

Luxembourg 
  

Attended Agriculture Council 
  

855.21 
  



25 Apr. 01 
  

26 Apr. 01 
  

Jack McConnell 
  

Poland 
  

Addressed the British Council conference "Borders 
  and their impact on European citizens" 
  

1,057.48 
  



24 Apr. 01 
  

25 Apr. 01 
  

Rhona Brankin 
  

Luxembourg/Belgium 
  

Attended Fisheries Council then seminar on rural development 
  and sustainable forestry. Also attended annual seafood exhibition 
  

720.00 
  



01 Apr. 01 
  

06 Apr. 01 
  

Henry McLeish 
  

USA 
  

Attended Tartan Day events 
  

4,309.62 
  



01 Apr. 01 
  

06 Apr .01 
  

Wendy Alexander 
  

USA 
  

Attended Tartan Day events 
  

2,822.00 
  



01 Apr. 01 
  

04 Apr. 01 
  

Alasdair Morrison 
  

USA 
  

Attended Tartan Day events 
  

2,628.00 
  



Financial Year 2000-01 
  



16 Mar. 01 
  
 

Jack McConnell 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Hearing on EU Governance debate 
  

1,716.00 
  



08 Mar. 01 
  
 

Alasdair Morrison 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended launch of the Columba Initiative strategic plan 
  

859.50 
  



08 Mar. 01 
  
 

Sam Galbraith 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Environment Council 
  

473.00 
  



26 Feb. 01 
  

27 Feb. 01 
  

Ross Finnie 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Agriculture Council 
  

380.00 
  



18 Feb. 01 
  

23 Feb. 01 
  

Wendy Alexander 
  

USA 
  

Fact-finding visit re. digital Scotland and visited a number 
  of companies 
  

3,694.00 
  



15 Feb. 01 
  
 

Jack McConnell 
  

France 
  

Attended meeting to prepare for the next CLRAE conference 
  of Presidents in November 
  

1,014.00 
  



12 Feb. 01 
  
 

Nicol Stephen 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Education and Youth Council 
  

380.00 
  



05 Feb. 01 
  

06 Feb. 01 
  

Angus MacKay 
  

Belgium 
  

Meeting to discuss Objective 2 Structural Funds 
  

513.00 
  



05 Feb. 01 
  

06 Feb. 01 
  

Sarah Boyack 
  

Belgium 
  

Met with Commissioner de Palacio’s Chef de Cabinet to discuss 
  a range of issues. 
  

518.00 
  



05 Feb. 01 
  

06 Feb. 01 
  

Alasdair Morrison 
  

Germany 
  

Attended STB/BTA launch of twin cities initiative 
  

650.00 
  



28 Jan. 01 
  
 

Jack McConnell 
  

Belgium 
  

Met with Nigel Sheinwald and the Swedish Representative 
  Office and discussed issues of mutual interest 
  

380.00 
  



18 Jan. 01 
  

21 Jan. 01 
  

Wendy Alexander 
  

France 
  

Attended Franco-British Colloque meeting 
  

337.00 
  



20 Dec. 00 
  

21 Dec. 00 
  

Jim Wallace 
  

New Zealand 
  

Meetings with New Zealand Ministers and officials on Freedom 
  of Information and police complaints 
  

0.00* 
  



14 Dec. 00 
  

15 Dec. 00 
  

Rhona Brankin 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Fisheries Council 
  

373.55 
  



11 Dec. 00 
  
 

Sam Galbraith 
  

Belgium 
  

Opened Scotland in Europe cultural exhibition in Scotland 
  House. Met with Commissioner Wallstrom 
  

380.00 
  



06 Dec. 00 
  
 

Henry McLeish 
  

Belgium 
  

Met with Commissioner Kinnock to discuss issues such as 
  EU Governance. Met with Scottish MEPs and Judge Edward. 
  

380.00 
  



05 Dec. 00 
  
 

Henry McLeish 
  

Italy 
  

Attended the celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the 
  Scots College in Rome 
  

458.00 
  



29 Nov. 00 
  

30 Nov. 00 
  

Jim Wallace 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Justice and Home Affairs Council 
  

665.00 
  



25 Nov. 00 
  

30 Nov. 00 
  

Jack McConnell 
  

Canada 
  

Represented UK at the 14th Commonwealth Education Ministers 
  conference 
  

3,015.00 
  



22 Nov. 00 
  

24 Nov. 00 
  

Jim Wallace 
  

Spain 
  

Attended President of Regions with Legislative Power conference 
  

1,383.00 
  



20 Nov. 00 
  

21 Nov. 00 
  

Ross Finnie 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Agricultural Council 
  

324.00 
  



16 Nov. 00 
  

17 Nov. 00 
  

Rhona Brankin 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Fisheries Council 
  

357.00 
  



29 Sep. 00 
  
 

Donald Dewar 
  

Ireland 
  

Delivered speech to the Irish-Scottish Academic Initiative 
  

288.00 
  



18 Sep. 00 
  
 

Susan Deacon 
  

Belgium 
  

Meeting with Commissioner Byrne to discuss EU health issues 
  

317.00 
  



11 Sep. 00 
  

13 Sep. 00 
  

Neil Davidson 
  

Luxembourg 
  

Visit to the European Court 
  

611.38 
  



09 Sep. 00 
  

10 Sep. 00 
  

Rhona Brankin 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended the Belgian Pipe Band Championships 
  

422.00 
  



01 Sep. 00 
  

08 Sep. 00 
  

Colin Boyd 
  

South Africa 
  

Attended the International Association of Prosecutors conference 
  

3,508.41 
  



31 Aug. 00 
  

01 Sep. 00 
  

John Home Robertson 
  

Sweden 
  

Part of a fisheries trade mission to the Gotland region. 
  Met with the Swedish State Secretary of Fisheries 
  

1,679.00 
  



29 Aug. 00 
  

30 Aug. 01 
  

Jim Wallace 
  

Ireland 
  

Fact-finding visit on Freedom of Information. Met with 
  Irish ministers 
  

298.00 
  



24 Aug. 00 
  

25 Aug. 00 
  

Alasdair Morrison 
  

Norway 
  

Delivered speech at "The Challenges facing Regional 
  development in Northern Norway and Northern Scotland" 
  conference 
  

883.00 
  



15 Aug. 00 
  

18 Aug. 00 
  

Ross Finnie 
  

Ireland 
  

Fact-finding visit on rural policy. Also looked at examples 
  of how farmers have strengthened their businesses though 
  diversification 
  

649.00 
  



14 Aug. 00 
  

17 Aug. 00 
  

Sarah Boyack 
  

Denmark, Norway 
  

Denmark: Visited environment projects. Norway; Visited 
  transport projects 
  

1,555.00 
  



17 Jul. 00 
  

21 Jul. 00 
  

Peter Peacock 
  

USA 
  

Fact-finding visit re. Digital Scotland and Future Schools 
  

3,539.00 
  



14 Jul. 00 
  

17 Jul. 00 
  

Henry McLeish 
  

USA 
  

Trade visit to a number of cities and met with senior company 
  representatives 
  

5,063.00 
  



11 Jul. 00 
  

12 Jul. 00 
  

Jack McConnell 
  

Belgium 
  

Delivered speech at Flanders festival, attended CLARE meeting 
  in Brugge and met the First Minister of Flanders 
  

653.00 
  



09 Jul. 00 
  

10 Jul. 00 
  

Rhona Brankin 
  

Ireland 
  

Meeting with Irish Minister for Sport and Tourism to discuss 
  successful Irish bid for Ryder Cup 2005 
  

298.00 
  



22 Jun. 00 
  

23 Jun. 00 
  

Sarah Boyack 
  

Luxembourg 
  

Attended Environment Council 
  

771.00 
  



16 Jun. 00 
  
 

John Home Robertson 
  

Luxembourg 
  

Attended Fisheries Council 
  

916.00 
  



08 Jun. 00 
  
 

Nicol Stephen 
  

Luxembourg 
  

Attended Education Council 
  

318.00 
  



05 Jun. 00 
  

06 Jun. 00 
  

Jack McConnell 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended EU structural funds conference 
  

536.00 
  



25 May 00 
  

27 May 00 
  

Rhona Brankin 
  

Norway 
  

Attended opening of the Heathland Centre 
  

1,203.00 
  



18 May 00 
  

20 May 00 
  

Frank McAveety 
  

Netherlands 
  

Attended conference "Meeting the Challenges for Society 
  in the 21st century" 
  

204.00 
  



15 May 00 
  

17 May 00 
  

Rhona Brankin 
  

France 
  

Attended Cannes Film Festival 
  

737.00 
  



09 May 00 
  
 

Ross Finnie 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended annual seafood exhibition 
  

609.00 
  



09 May 00 
  
 

Alasdair Morrison 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended annual seafood exhibition 
  

609.00 
  



09 May 00 
  

11 May 00 
  

John Home Robertson 
  

Norway 
  

Attended Aquaculture Business conference and met with Norwegian 
  and Irish Fisheries Ministers 
  

918.00 
  



08 May 00 
  

12 May 00 
  

Jackie Baillie 
  

USA 
  

Fact-finding visit on Social Economy Financing 
  

1,096.00 
  



08 May 00 
  

12 May 00 
  

Wendy Alexander 
  

USA 
  

Fact-finding visit on Social Economy Financing 
  

802.00 
  



03 May 00 
  

05 May 00 
  

Angus Mackay 
  

Portugal 
  

Attended EU conference on Crime Prevention 
  

894.00 
  



13 Apr. 00 
  

21 Apr. 00 
  

Angus Mackay 
  

USA 
  

Fact-finding visit on issues of drug rehabilitation and 
  drug enforcement 
  

3,229.00 
  



10 Apr. 00 
  

14 Apr. 00 
  

Donald Dewar 
  

Japan 
  

Inward Investment visit 
  

5,647.00 
  



07 Apr. 00 
  
 

Jim Wallace 
  

Belgium 
  

Meeting with Commissioner Vitorino to discuss Justice and 
  Home Affairs issues 
  

631.00 
  



06 Apr. 00 
  

09 Apr. 00 
  

Henry McLeish 
  

USA 
  

Attended Tartan Day events 
  

3747.00 
  



06 Apr. 00 
  

09 Apr. 00 
  

Alasdair Morrison 
  

USA 
  

Attended Tartan Day events 
  

3747.00 
  



04 Apr. 00 
  
 

Alasdair Morrison 
  

Netherlands 
  

Attended British Tourist Board event 
  

596.00 
  



Financial Year 1999-2000 
  



28 Mar. 00 
  

29 Mar. 00 
  

Jim Wallace 
  

Netherlands 
  

Met with Dutch Justice Minister 
  

550.00 
  



27 Mar. 00 
  
 

Sarah Boyack 
  

Belgium 
  

Met with Commissioner de Palacio’s Cabinet and the Director 
  of Maritime to discuss EU Transport and energy issues 
  

497.20 
  



27 Mar. 00 
  
 

Jack McConnell 
  

Belgium 
  

Visit by Scottish Parliament European Committee. Visited 
  Bavarian and North Rhine Westfalan Regional Offices 
  

743.39 
  



21 Mar. 00 
  

22 Mar. 00 
  

Jack McConnell 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended launch of Structural Funds Equal Opportunities 
  Toolbox and held a series of meetings with EU Commissioners 
  

536.18 
  



20 Mar. 00 
  

21 Mar. 00 
  

Ross Finnie 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Agricultural Council 
  

501.52 
  



16 Mar. 00 
  

18 Mar. 00 
  

Nicol Stephen 
  

Portugal 
  

Attended EU Informal Council on Lifelong Learning 
  

1,015.24 
  



16 Mar. 00 
  

17 Mar. 00 
  

Alasdair Morrison 
  

Ireland 
  

Attended the opening of the Student Parliament 
  

216.00 
  



29 Feb. 00 
  

03 Mar. 00 
  

Jim Wallace 
  

Germany 
  

Attended and spoke at "People and Politics" conference 
  

768.00 
  



28 Jan. 00 
  

29 Jan. 00 
  

Nicol Stephen 
  

France 
  

Co-hosted opening of the Glasgow Collection at the British 
  Embassy in Paris 
  

506.00 
  



25 Jan. 00 
  

27 Jan. 00 
  

Susan Deacon 
  

Finland 
  

Fact-finding visit to discuss health issues. Met with the 
  Minister for Health and Social Services 
  

417.90 
  



19 Jan. 00 
  

21 Jan. 00 
  

Jackie Baillie 
  

Ireland 
  

Fact-finding visit to discuss credit unions and IT projects 
  

498.34 
  



19 Jan. 00 
  

21 Jan. 00 
  

Wendy Alexander 
  

Ireland 
  

Fact-finding visit to discuss credit unions and IT projects 
  

298.00 
  



16 Dec. 99 
  

17 Dec. 99 
  

John Home Robertson 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Fisheries Council 
  

461.00 
  



14 Dec. 99 
  

15 Dec. 99 
  

Ross Finnie 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Agriculture Council 
  

618.00 
  



13 Dec. 99 
  

15 Dec. 99 
  

Alasdair Morrison 
  

Ireland 
  

Met with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltracht and 
  the Islands and discussed Gaelic issues 
  

318.00 
  



13 Dec. 99 
  

14 Dec. 99 
  

Sarah Boyack 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Environment Council 
  

587.00 
  



08 Dec. 99 
  
 

Donald Dewar 
  

Netherlands 
  

Gave the William and Mary lecture and met with the Dutch 
  Justice Minister 
  

1,231.00 
  



06 Dec. 99 
  

07 Dec. 99 
  

Jack McConnell 
  

Czech Republic 
  

Attended PHARE Twinning Agreement event and met with Minister 
  for Regional Development 
  

750.00 
  



25 Nov. 99 
  
 

Alasdair Morrison 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended British Tourism event for Scottish Tourist Board 
  

418.00 
  



22 Nov. 99 
  
 

John Home Robertson 
  

Belgium 
  

Attended Fisheries Council 
  

418.00 
  



18 Nov. 99 
  
 

Angus Mackay 
  

Ireland 
  

Investigating drugs issues with Minister for Justice 
  

288.00 
  



29 Oct. 99 
  
 

Donald Dewar 
  

Ireland 
  

Meeting with the Taoiseach 
  

292.00 
  



27 Oct. 99 
  




Henry McLeish 
  

China/ Hong Kong 
  

Trade/ Inward Investment visit 
  

4,057.47 
  



26 Oct. 99 
  
 

John Home Robertson 
  

Luxembourg 
  

Attended Fisheries Council 
  

630.82 
  



15 Oct. 99 
  
 

Alasdair Morrison 
  

Belgium 
  

Scotland Week – addressed Culture, Tourism and Arts seminar 
  

638.00 
  



14 Oct. 99 
  

15 Oct. 99 
  

Rhona Brankin 
  

Belgium 
  

Scotland Week – addressed Culture, Tourism and Arts seminar 
  

707.94 
  



14 Oct. 99 
  
 

Henry McLeish 
  

Belgium 
  

Scotland Week – addressed "Nurturing an Enterprise 
  culture through Education" seminar 
  

550.00 
  



14 Oct. 99 
  
 

Wendy Alexander 
  

Italy 
  

Attended conference "Becoming Europeans" hosted 
  by the British Council 
  

0.00* 
  



13 Oct. 99 
  

14 Oct. 99 
  

Andrew Hardie 
  

Belgium 
  

Scotland Week – attended Justice and Home Affairs in Scotland 
  post devolution seminar 
  

528.81 
  



13 Oct. 99 
  
 

Sarah Boyack 
  

Belgium 
  

Scotland Week – addressed Environment and Sustainable Development 
  seminar 
  

418.00 
  



11 Oct. 99 
  

15 Oct. 99 
  

Peter Peacock 
  

Belgium/ Finland 
  

Scotland Week – Chaired and addressed "Information 
  Age" seminar followed by a fact-finding visit to Finland 
  in relation to the Digital Scotland Initiative 
  

1,706.57 
  



10 Oct. 99 
  

14 Oct. 99 
  

Jack McConnell 
  

Belgium 
  

Scotland Week addressed Democratic Renewal seminar and 
  opened Financial Services seminar. He met with representatives 
  of the European Commission and UK Representative Office 
  in Brussels 
  

548.19 
  



10 Oct. 99 
  

13 Oct. 99 
  

Donald Dewar 
  

Belgium 
  

Scotland Week – addressed the Democratic renewal seminar 
  

437.00 
  



09 Oct. 99 
  

13 Oct. 99 
  

Ross Finnie 
  

Germany/ Belgium 
  

Attendance at ANUGA Food Fair. Scotland Week – speech to 
  Scotland the Brand dinner 
  

1,117.25 
  



29 Sep. 99 
  
 

Jack McConnell 
  

Belgium 
  

Pre-Scotland Week press conference 
  

418.00 
  



27 Sep. 99 
  
 

Nicol Stephen 
  

Spain 
  

Attendance at Youthstart conference 
  

247.00 
  



24 Sep. 99 
  

25 Sep.99 
  

Sam Galbraith 
  

Finland 
  

Attendance at Informal meeting of Ministers of Education 
  

869.00 
  



23 Sep. 99 
  

27 Sep.99 
  

Rhona Brankin 
  

USA 
  

Fact–finding visit to support possible Scottish bid for 
  the Ryder Cup 
  

1,733.00 
  



22 Sep. 99 
  

24 Sep.99 
  

Sarah Boyack 
  

Ireland 
  

Attendance at 4th Environment Conference of Regional Ministers 
  and Political Leaders in the EU 
  

639.06 
  



20 Sep. 99 
  

25 Sep.99 
  

Henry McLeish 
  

USA 
  

Inward Investment Visit. Made a series of company visits 
  and met with senior company representatives. 
  

4,616.89 
  



11 Sep. 99 
  

18 Sept 99 
  

Andrew Hardie 
  

Malaysia 
  

Attended Commonwealth lawyers Association conference 
  

986.16 
  



03 Sep. 99 
  

11 Sep.99 
  

Colin Boyd 
  

China 
  

Attended the International Association of Prosecutors conference 
  

1,895.37 
  



30 Aug. 99 
  
 

Nicol Stephen 
  

Germany 
  

Met with Continental Tyres 
  

755.00 
  



07 Jul. 99 
  

08 Jul.99 
  

Jack McConnell 
  

Belgium 
  

Fact finding visit and meetings regarding Structural Funds 
  

600.00 
  



Sub-total 
  

160,944.26 
  



Costs reimbursed to FCO 
  

128,472.59 
  



Total 
  

289,416.85 
  



  Notes:

  The cost given for each visit includes all flight, accommodation and other expenses. It does not include costs for services arranged through Embassies and Consulates overseas, and reimbursed to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, it has not been possible to break this information down by visit. A total figure for costs reimbursed to the FCO for the period in question is given.

  *Indicates that there was no cost to the Scottish Executive for the visit.

Nursing

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many nurses currently employed by the NHS in Scotland will reach their normal retirement age in each year from 2003 to 2012, broken down by gender and SRN, SEN, RMN or other qualification.

Mrs Mary Mulligan: The following table shows the number of nurses currently employed by the NHS in Scotland, broken down by level of qualification and gender due to reach their normal retirement age from 2003 to 2012, assuming that the normal retirement age is 60 for females and 65 for males.

  

 

All Nursing and Midwifery Staff 1,2


Senior Nurse Managers 3


Qualified 4


Unqualified 4




Year 
  

Females due to be 60 
  

Males due to be 65 
  

Females due to be 60 
  

Males due to be 65 
  

Females due to be 60 
  

Males due to be 65 
  

Females due to be 60 
  

Males due to be 65 
  



2002 
  

 699 
  

 13 
  

 1 
  

- 
  

 318 
  

 3 
  

 380 
  

 10 
  



2003 
  

 773 
  

 18 
  

 1 
  

- 
  

 376 
  

 4 
  

 396 
  

 14 
  



2004 
  

 916 
  

 15 
  

 2 
  

- 
  

 430 
  

 6 
  

 484 
  

 9 
  



2005 
  

 890 
  

 19 
  

 1 
  

- 
  

 447 
  

 9 
  

 442 
  

 10 
  



2006 
  

1,063 
  

 26 
  

 1 
  

- 
  

 543 
  

 13 
  

 519 
  

 13 
  



2007 
  

1,506 
  

 42 
  

 4 
  

- 
  

 781 
  

 17 
  

 721 
  

 25 
  



2008 
  

1308 
  

 41 
  

 4 
  

 2 
  

 726 
  

 17 
  

 578 
  

 22 
  



2009 
  

1,344 
  

 46 
  

 1 
  

- 
  

 768 
  

 21 
  

 575 
  

 25 
  



2010 
  

1,314 
  

 46 
  

 3 
  

 1 
  

 773 
  

 24 
  

 538 
  

 21 
  



2011 
  

1,255 
  

 73 
  

 2 
  

- 
  

 737 
  

 45 
  

 516 
  

 28 
  



2012 
  

1,349 
  

 107 
  

- 
  

- 
  

 814 
  

 65 
  

 535 
  

 42 
  



2013 
  

1,453 
  

 85 
  

 4 
  

 1 
  

 922 
  

 51 
  

 527 
  

 33 
  



  Source: National Manpower Statistics from payroll, ISD Scotland.

  Notes:

  1. Excludes agency, bank and GP practice nurses.

  2. Excludes nurse teachers and nurses in training (see note 3).

  3. Some senior nurse managers are employed on senior management grades and are not included in the nursing total.

  4. Qualified staff consists of first and second (enrolled) level registered staff. Unqualified consists of nursery nurses and auxiliary/assistants.

Parenting

Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage positive parenting.

Cathy Jamieson: Positive parenting is crucial if we want to ensure that all our children are given the best possible start in life. While parenting is often rewarding it can also be challenging.

  A range of statutory and voluntary bodies is involved in the provision of support to parents. All parents may need advice and support on occasion from GPs or health visitors. Some parents will also need additional support through more targeted assistance. Support for parents is an important element in a number of Executive programmes including Sure Start Scotland, New Community Schools and the National Health Demonstration Project, Starting Well. The Executive also provides funding for voluntary organisations such as ParentLine Scotland, who provide a confidential helpline for parents, and Parent Network Scotland, who deliver parenting support classes.

Pensions

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-27227 by Lewis Macdonald on 26 July 2002, what external bodies have been, or will be consulted, in its investigations into "whether there might be other ways to provide compensation for the loss of future pension rights for the transferred staff affected"; on what date this process was started, and when it is envisaged that the investigations might be completed.

Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive has consulted with the EC and with the maintenance contractors. The process was started in April 2001. The answer given to question S1W-27277 indicated it was a complex area and therefore I am not able to give an indication of when investigations might be completed.

Prison Service

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the Annual Report 2001-02 by the Over 21's Visiting Committee at HM Prison and Young Offenders' Institute Cornton Vale, what steps it is taking in respect of care provision for mentally disordered female offenders in the prison, given that the committee is "extremely concerned" that the needs of such offenders are not adequately met within the current criminal justice system.

Mr Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  Well defined support systems are in existence within the prison to identify and support those with mental health needs. This includes the assessment of all admissions by a Registered Mental Health Nurse and four sessions per week contracted psychiatric provision (supplemented by registrars). Extensive links exist with mental health teams in the community and locally a co-ordinated mental health referral/multidisciplinary team approach is in place.

Prison Service

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners at HM Prison Young Offenders' Institute Cornton Vale have been (a) on remand and (b) in custody awaiting sentence in (i) 1999-2000, (ii) 2000-01, (iii) 2001-02 and (iv) 2002-03 to date.

Mr Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The information is not available in the requested format. Figures are available for average daily population and are listed below.

  Average Daily Population on Remand in Cornton Vale

  


Year 
  

Untried 
  

Convicted 
  

Awaiting Sentence 
  

Total Remand 
  



1999-2000 
  

35 
  

13 
  

18 
  

48 
  



2000-01 
  

27 
  

13 
  

23 
  

40 
  



2001-02 
  

38 
  
 
 

55 
  



2002 (Apr-Jul) 
  

47 
  
 
 

70 
  



  Note:

  Components may not add due to rounding.

Prison Service

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of prisoners at HM Prison and Young Offenders' Institute Cornton Vale are currently accommodated in shared cells.

Mr Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  Currently about 50%.

Prison Service

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the comments made in the Annual Report 2001-02 by the Over 21's Visiting Committee at HM Prison and Young Offenders' Institute Cornton Vale that women with serious medical conditions do not have reasonably timely access to toilet facilities.

Mr Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The increased pressures on Cornton Vale have been caused by numbers rising markedly above the available capacity of the establishment.

  Procedures are in place which identify women with serious medical conditions and exclude them from cell sharing. Access times to toilet facilities are being monitored during patrol periods and an additional member of staff has recently been allocated to the night shift to cope with increased demand. The SPS have announced the conversion of Darroch Hall at HM Prison Greenock to house women prisoners. This will ease overcrowding at Cornton Vale. This will be in addition to the creation of an open prison facility in the SPS houses adjacent to Cornton Vale which will also help ease pressures.

Prison Service

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on reduced efficacy of the induction process at HM Prison and Young Offenders' Institution Cornton Vale owing to increased numbers and staff shortages, referred to in the Annual Report 2001-02 of the prison's Over 21's Visiting Committee.

Mr Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The standard induction process of three days for convicted prisoners has continued to operate as normal. Additional nursing resource has been supplied in order that health care for the increased number of admissions can be more effectively provided. The increased pressures on Cornton Vale have been caused by increased numbers rising markedly above the available capacity of the establishment. SPS have announced the conversion of Darroch Hall at HM Prison Greenock to house women prisoners. This will ease overcrowding at Cornton Vale. This will be in addition to the creation of an open prison facility in the SPS houses adjacent to Cornton Vale which will also help to ease pressures.

Prison Service

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on section 2.5 of the Annual Report 2001-02 of the Over 21's Visiting Committee of HM Prison and Young Offenders' Institute Cornton Vale, with particular regard to the committee's concerns about the (a) level of success of action on drugs programmes in the prison and (b) place of mandatory drug testing within the prison's overall drug strategy.

Mr Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  Cornton Vale makes available and is further developing a range of interventions/drugs programmes including health care and addictions assessment, information and awareness, detoxification and substitute prescribing, relapse prevention and pre- and post-release support. Mandatory drug testing allows the prison to monitor drug misuse and the effectiveness of interventions and to identify inmates who may need specialist support. The increased pressures on Cornton Vale have been caused by numbers rising markedly above the available capacity of the establishment. SPS have announced the conversion of Darroch Hall at HM Prison Greenock to house women prisoners. This will ease overcrowding at Cornton Vale.

Proceeds of Crime (Scotland) Act 1995

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much money has been collected under the Proceeds of Crime (Scotland) Act 1995 relating to drug offences in each year since the act came into force.

Mr Jim Wallace: The total amount of confiscation orders imposed by the courts in Scotland under the Proceeds of Crime (Scotland) Act 1995 in respect of drug offences is as follows:

  


1996-97 
  

£455,183 
  



1997-98 
  

£391,016 
  



1998-99 
  

£495,059 
  



1999-2000 
  

£807,213 
  



2000-01 
  

£117,884 
  



2001-02 
  

£532,812 
  



April 2002 - August 2002 
  

£269,890 
  



  Figures for the amounts collected are not available centrally.

Public Appointments

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive who its nominations were to (a) the Commission for Racial Equality, (b) the Equal Opportunities Commission, (c) the National Disability Council and (d) each of the UK Research Councils at the time of the last appointments.

Ms Margaret Curran: The Executive does not put forward nominations for appointments to these UK bodies, which are made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice . However, where there is a vacancy for a Scottish position, Scottish ministers are invited to put forward the names of people who they feel have the right experience and background. Those people would then be sent notice of the advert and an application pack.

Public Transport

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what subsidies are given to Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority for (a) rail and (b) road services and who distributes these subsidies.

Lewis Macdonald: Subsidies for rail services are given to the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority by the Scottish Executive, in the form of a Special Rail Grant, and by the 12 local authorities which make up the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority, in the form of revenue support. The Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority has statutory responsibility for bus services in its area and receives financial support for this from its constituent local authorities.

Scotland Act 1998

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive who the "Prince and Steward of Scotland" is and what his role is as referred to in Schedule 5, Part I, paragraph 3(2) of the Scotland Act 1998.

Patricia Ferguson: His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay is the Prince and Steward of Scotland. His role as referred to in Schedule 5, Part 1, paragraph 3(2) of the Scotland Act 1998 is as the owner of feudal superiorities in Scotland.

Tourism

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the British Tourist Authority (BTA) in relation to the overseas promotion of Scottish tourism and what activities the BTA undertakes in this regard.

Mike Watson: The Department of Culture, Media and Sport sponsors the BTA, and consults the Scottish Executive closely on all relevant aspects of the sponsoring role. In addition staff of both VisitScotland and the BTA regularly meet to discuss how best the BTA can promote Scotland overseas and other relevant issues. The activities which the BTA undertakes to promote overseas tourism to Scotland include public relations and advertising, press promotions, participation at exhibitions, information services for the public, and advice and market intelligence to the tourism trade.

Waste Water

Susan Deacon (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring systems are in place regarding odour problems and associated health risks through the spread of airborne particles from waste water treatment plants.

Ross Finnie: I understand that monitoring systems for odour from treatment plants vary according to location and particular circumstances and are largely dictated by local planning conditions.

  Turning to health risks from airborne particles, available evidence suggests that the risk to public health from airborne particles emanating from waste water treatment plants is very remote.

Water Industry

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures, terms and conditions are to be followed by the Convener of the Water Customer Consultation Panels when appointing members of the panels and when such appointments are to be made.

Ross Finnie: The convener will make appointments to each panel in accordance with guidance from the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Prior to making the appointments the Convener must consult the Water Industry Commissioner and such bodies representing consumers interests as the Scottish ministers may direct.

  The appointment of panel members will be completed as soon as practicable following the appointment of the convener.

Water Safety

John Scott (Ayr) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to hold a public inquiry into the causes and effects of the cryptosporidium outbreak in Glasgow’s water supply.

Ross Finnie: The Cryptosporidium Direction 2000 required the then water authorities to identify all water works in Scotland considered to be at high or moderate risk and set a strict timetable for the water authorities to take steps to introduce appropriate measures to reduce the assessed risk to "low". The Quality and Standards 2002-06 report set the investment priorities for Scottish Water which includes all the measures required to reduce risk to levels considered acceptable for a public water supply, including the need for investment in a new water treatment works at Milngavie. In the interim the cryptosporidium direction requires the water authorities to monitor continually all water considered to be high risk (which includes Mugdock) and to report the levels of cryptosporidium to the relevant NHS board to allow the board to assess whether or not the reported level constitutes a risk to public health. Given our knowledge on the potential risk of cryptosporidium and the measures in place to detect its presence, I do not think a public inquiry would add to our knowledge.

Wildlife

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the procedure is for classifying an animal or a plant as an endangered species.

Allan Wilson: The procedures for classifying endangered species of animals and plants are adopted and approved by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). They have produced a "Red List" showing categories of animals and plants that are currently classified as "endangered". Before any plant or animal can be classified it must be assessed against a number of quantitative criteria relating to several possible risk factors, for example information on the reduction or decline of a species, its population fluctuations, the geographical extent of its occurrence, the isolation or fragmentation of the species and the turnover rate of breeding inviduals/generation length. Updates of the "Red List" are made every year. Full details of the species listed can be accessed on the website at:

  www.redlist.org

Wildlife

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which body designates species of animals and plants as endangered.

Allan Wilson: The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and its Species Survival Commission are responsible for classifying and approving categories of animals and plants which are recognised as being critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable at international or national levels.

Wildlife

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which species of animals and plants are currently endangered.

Allan Wilson: The full list of currently endangered species of animals and plants can be found on the "Red List" approved by the International Union of Conservation for Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Full details of the species listed can be accessed on the website at:

  www.redlist.org